Category Archives: Oahu, Hawaii

I checked out the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet & Marketplace over the weekend and was blown away by the number and variety of vendors. Now, if you are looking for farmers’ market type raw goods (fresh produce, fruit, herbs) you should go to a different market. But, if you want locally-made peanut butter, jams and honeys, plants, lanterns, carvings, Hawaiian-themed clothes and tourist gifts then you are at the right place! It took me two hours to walk around the stadium and pop into various stalls. The vendors were friendly and attentive, the parking was close and convenient, and the stadium bathrooms are open to the public! Continue reading →

Every week I make it a point to add fresh produce to my fridge and pantry. I love discovering new farmers’ markets and returning to visit ones that I’ve loved in the past. Today I drove out to Waimea Valley for the Haleiwa Farmers’ Market, held every Thursday from 3-7pm. This is not my first time at this market, and I love returning to it – on an empty stomach – so that I can fulfill my weekly vegetable shopping list and grab a savory lunch or sweet snack while I’m at it. The vendors are kind and engaged, the produce fresh and salivating-delicious, and the locally prepared jams, dressings and spices make every meal a unique treat.

If you are in need of some fresh, locally grown produce, stop in at the Kam Swap Meet and support local farmers. Held in the town of Aiea on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, the Kam Swap Meet hosts dozens of local farmers with produce ranging from the expected greens, tomatoes, onions and bananas to the unexpected, but totally locally, coconuts, papaya, apple bananas, starfruit, giant pieces of ginger root and stalks of lemon grass. Continue reading →

Over the weekend my husband and I went exploring for some fresh produce and some walk-and-munch street food on a gorgeous day in Oahu, Hawaii. We discovered the Pearlridge Farmers’ Market, a short row of white tents in the parking lot of the Pearlridge Center directly in front of the Sears store.

Up for an adventure, we stopped in and walked the length of the booths, salivating all the way… when we reached the end, we had both predetermined where we wanted to stop-and-shop on the way back down the booths. Continue reading →

There is something about an Oahu farmers’ market that makes you rooted to the place. No matter if you are a local (Kamaʻaina) or just passing through on vacation, visiting and feasting at a farmers’ market connects you to the place, its people, and its culture. By walking amongst vendors, you get a sense of the diversity of people that have settled there. Cuisine, spices and greens can tell you so much about the history of place. You easily spot Pacific Island and Asian influences, and perhaps you will come to hone your knowledge to determine specific country influences, and you will discover the most amazing array of fruits and vegetables which I challenge you to ferret out in any big chain grocery store. For example, the ginger is sold in such large segments it hints at the fact that this is a primary ingredient in many of the locals’ dishes – rather than a once-in-a-while flavoring addition like in so many mainland-USA dishes.

On 7 December 1941 Japanese carriers launched torpedo bombers, dive bombers, horizontal bombers and fighters to target US battleships and airfield/military installations on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The attack lasted less than two hours and resulted in heavy destruction and US casualties: 2,403 dead (68 civilians); 1,178 military and civilian wounded; 21 ships sunk or damaged; 188 aircraft destroyed and 159 damaged. This attack led to the US formally declaring war upon Japan (8 December) and upon Germany (11 December); the US had now entered World War II. We commemorate the event as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Continue reading →

Strap on your elf shoes and open your wallets and your hearts! If you live in any Island Palm Communities (IPC) in Hawaii, perhaps you would like to participate in the Operation Homefront Holiday Toy Drive 2013. Operation Homefront provides gifts to children of service members and wounded warriors (with service in Iraq and Afghanistan) who do not regularly receive such items due to family hardship (death, injury, mental issues).

In partnership with Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, IPC is coordinating the collection and delivery of NEW, unwrapped toys at all IPC Community Centers from November 1 to December 6, 2013.

If you would like to apply for your children to receive gifts through this program, please click here.

The Army Services YMCA Food Pantry provides 200+ military families with edibles and delectables annually through the generous donations of people like you. The Island Palm Communities with Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America are coordinating this year’s holiday food drive collection of canned meats and tuna, cannes meals like spaghetti, chili, and stews, canned soups, canned vegetables and fruits, non-perishable foot items and dessert items. Donations can be dropped off at any IPC Community Center from November 1 through December 20, 2013.

Think about what your favorite dishes are at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, New Years, and any other holy days this season. Cranberries, cornbread, baked beans, turkey, ham and pumpkin pie come to my mind. Yum! Think outside the box and find canned or non-perishable items that could make a holiday meal for a military family in need. Canned cranberries and pumpkin pie filling are a great start! How about some canned chicken stock, instant mashed potatoes or boxes of Jiffy cornbread mix? Instead of donating one or two small items, why not donate a complete canned meal of several products that when combined create a delicious family affair?

The Blue Star Card program is available to Army families in Hawaii. It is a “discount and activities program intended to enhance the well being of families during the stressful time of separation from your soldier.” It provides discounts for Family and MWR events, facilities and childcare. Examples of discounts include 10% off on post restaurants, 10% off craft classes, pool passes, bowling fees, and at outdoor recreation, and 12 free days of pet care, and various childcare benefits.

To be eligible, you must:

be a spouse of an army active duty/reserve/national guard soldier or DA civilian on orders overseas (includes deployment, unaccompanied PCS and TDY)

if applicable, register your children with Child, Youth and School Services (CYS Services)

To register for your Blue Star Card, bring the following materials to Army Community Services (ACS) at Schofield Barracks or Fort Shafter:

If you feel like stretching your legs on Thursday morning and you live or work on the island of Oahu, HI, then check out these scheduled races. Thanksgiving day races, or the Turkey Trot, are a great family-fun activity. Burning off some calories in the wee hours of the morning may make scarfing down turkey, dressing and gravy a little easier on the conscience (and the waist band!) later in the afternoon!